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Kor

biblical_measure theological_term standard

A kor was an ancient Hebrew dry measure used for grain and other commodities, roughly equivalent to about ten ephahs or one homer.

At a Glance

A kor was a standard ancient Near Eastern dry-volume measure in biblical usage, especially in accounts of tribute, provisions, and temple-related supplies.

Key Points

Description

Kor is an ancient Hebrew dry measure mentioned in Old Testament passages that record supplies, tribute, and other bulk quantities. In biblical usage it designates a volume measure for commodities such as grain or flour, and it is commonly understood as equivalent to about ten ephahs, or one homer. Because ancient measurement systems varied over time and place, modern conversions are approximate. The term is important for reading biblical quantity statements accurately, but it does not itself carry theological content beyond the historical setting of the text.

Biblical Context

The kor appears in Old Testament contexts involving royal provisions, trade, and administrative records. Its usage helps readers understand the scale of supplies described in Israel’s history and in prophetic material.

Historical Context

In the ancient Near East, large dry measures were essential for agriculture, taxation, storage, and distribution. Biblical writers used familiar local units rather than modern standardized measurements, so exact modern equivalents remain approximate.

Jewish and Ancient Context

Within ancient Israelite life, such measures reflected everyday economic practice. The kor belongs to the broader system of Hebrew grain measures used in commerce and household provisioning.

Primary Key Texts

Secondary Key Texts

Original Language Note

Hebrew כֹּר (kōr), a dry-volume measure. English translations may render it as “kor” or explain it with an approximate modern equivalent.

Theological Significance

The kor has no direct doctrinal meaning, but it aids careful interpretation of biblical narratives and prophetic passages by clarifying quantities and scale.

Philosophical Explanation

As a measurement term, kor illustrates the historical specificity of Scripture: biblical authors communicated real quantities within the ordinary systems of their own time and culture.

Interpretive Cautions

Modern equivalents are approximate and may vary by scholarly estimate. Do not build doctrine or precise chronology from the unit itself.

Major Views

There is broad agreement that kor denotes a large dry measure; differences mainly concern exact modern conversion values.

Doctrinal Boundaries

The kor is a historical measurement term, not a doctrine, symbol, or covenant concept.

Practical Significance

Understanding terms like kor helps Bible readers read large numerical statements more accurately and avoid underestimating or overstating the scale of biblical events.

Related Entries

See Also

Data

Machine-readable JSON for Kor

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